Free Music: introducing Propaganda’s “Excellent”. [casual fri]

I wanted to plug an amazing new album I recently ran across. The album is Excellent by L.A. hip-hop and spoken word artist Propaganda. Being part of the record label Humble Beast, his new album is available for a free download, though I would encourage any and all of you to support the artist by buying his album on iTunes.

This album is so good. I can’t stop listening to it. The music is done by the group Beautiful Eulogy, so there are no samples. Also, don’t let the fact that he’s from L.A. turn you off (if you’re picky about your hip-hop). I don’t like West Coast hip-hop, but Prop has enough folk, rural, R&B, and east coast influences to make this a mostly un-West Coast album.

If you need any more proof of this album’s worth: even though the album is available for free, it peaked at #4 on the iTunes hip-hop chart (not the “Christian/Gospel” chart, either). It’s getting nearly-unanimous positive reviews on every aspect of the record, and I can’t agree enough. Just get this album. You won’t regret it.

Yes, this guy is unabashedly Christian, but this is no easy album to listen to. It’s not the kind of album you put on in the background as you work. It demands to be listened to carefully. It’s almost like sitting down for a conversation with the artist; to hear his story and share in it with him. His skill, artistry, vulnerability, and honesty force us to linger with him in each track.

The album is also getting some publicity over his song “Precious Puritans”, which is…well…just listen to it–you’ll see why it’s so controversial. But don’t let this distract you from the real value of the album. (But if it is a big deal to you, I’d refer you to this great reflection on this “issue” by Thabiti Anyabwile over at The Gospel Coalition).

So download the album, support the artist, and be both convicted and awash in excellence. You can stream the whole album below on Spotify. Oh, and you’re welcome.